Saturday Community Meetings
I note that Directors DeBell and Patu have Community meetings this morning. As well, Dr. Enfield is having a meeting this morning with Fillipino parents and community.
If you attend any of these events, let us know what you hear.
The Board finally gets back on track with Board meetings this coming Wednesday, May 4th. Here is the agenda. And, in the category of colliding issues, there will be an appreciation for teachers as it is Teacher Appreciation Week AND they will introduce the motion for RIFing.
If you attend any of these events, let us know what you hear.
The Board finally gets back on track with Board meetings this coming Wednesday, May 4th. Here is the agenda. And, in the category of colliding issues, there will be an appreciation for teachers as it is Teacher Appreciation Week AND they will introduce the motion for RIFing.
Comments
Also, the TIF propaganda machine has started in full swing including testimonials from unknown teachers about how great this system will be. The problem with this program and other miracle cures is the lack of time and consistency allowed to prove success. Yesterday on KUOW the new supt. described West Seattle Elementary as a symbol of success. The problem is that WSE program is brand new this year, new teachers, new principal, new program. She described teachers that were exhausted from their efforts. This must be why TFA teachers are needed because teachers can not maintain a sprint for long, teaching and learning is a long process requiring stamina. TFA teachers are sprinters because they are moving on to become admins. What about the schools of distinction like Coe and Hay, or do they not count because of location and economic status?
2 issues, both connected to Science Curriculum, took up most of the 2+ hours:
1) the parents gave DeBell an earful about problems and lack of public/teacher input on science alignment. All the parents were concerned about their respective children having to follow a District chosen track to meet science graduation requirements. Michael DeBell agreed with their assertion that parents and students should have some choice for determining which science courses best meet a student's needs and interests. He strongly urged them to send emails to Susan Enfield.
Also, Michael said that he's been having conversations with Kay S-Blum about this issue.
2) David Picard spoke about the "absurd" process of science text adoption (my words). David wondered why is there such a hurry to make a choice from texts that have never been tested in Seattle Schools. He pointed out that for several years he has been using 90+ texts and materials that he got for free from Prentice Hall, with excellent phone and online support. David said we should be testing curriculum materials for 2-3 months before making a choice--publishers are quite willing to provide these texts, materials, and supports without any obligation, as did Prentice Hall. He brought a physics and a chemistry book from the last round of text adoption in 2003. Neither text had ever been used. Both looked very attractive, but when teachers were able to review them in depth the texts were found to be poorly designed. Millions of dollars had been spent on a science curriculum that turned out to be useless. Michael DeBell was taking detailed notes, asked if he could take the 2 books, and was concerned enough that he listened to Davic Picard for 30 minutes beyond the end of the coffee chat after everyone else had left (save myself). He urged David to call in 8:00am Monday to get on the Public Testimony list. Wed's meeting is shaping up to be very interesting.
ken berry
Wasn't she the TFA graduate- she testified in favor of TfA.
I am a teacher. I have been a teacher for over two decades. I LOVE teaching- except of course for the interference from meddling administrators and politicians. I want to continue to be a teacher.
I could care less about career ladder "opportunities". They have nothing to do with teaching and create another layer of positions with unclear responsibilities.
I am willing to for go TIF as part of our contract to help bridge the budget gap and save money.
Curious as to where she is headed.
Someone (might have been Michelle Rhee) actually admitted this not long ago -- that her vision of the best system required teachers willing to work 12 to 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, and maybe the right system was one that didn't assume those jobs could be filled by career folks (sort of like the analyst systems at the big investment banks -- where college grads go in at 8, and work every day until 2 or 3 am the next day -- but after a coupld of years, they either stay and move up (to more $, and fewer hours) or leave -- with a good resume entry.) She actually proposed that maybe we should look at something like a law firm -- a few partners/master teacher/administrators at the top, and phalanxes of 1 to 2 year grunts who work ridiculous hours, and then burn out and leave. She didn't note, though, that both of those systems pay the grunts a LOT of money (check out starting salaries at large law firms and investment banks). She also gives NO credit to the value of time and classroom experience in creating great teachers.
grumpy